Deivathin Kural Series - 61

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 61 of 07 Sept 2006.

1.These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days chapter is from his lecture, titled, 'Chitta Suddhikku Chila Chinna Vishayangal ', ie., 'Some Small Things for the Sake of Cleanliness of Mind', in pages 324 to 327, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. There are many small things that could be useful for cleansing the mind. On the analogy of, 'a stitch in time saves nine', these small things, obviate the need for elaborate arrangements. For generations, these small dharmas have been adopted, on the logic of 'what is good for my Grand Father and my Father, is good for me too.' You only have to take note of, how happy and satisfied, their life was. These small do's and don'ts can give you the same satisfaction and bliss; despite the so called, 'changed circumstances'! Not only in big philosophical matters, they have shown us the way to behave, within the family and in a society. For example, relationship and friendship were carefully nurtured and protected. When it came to a marriage or demise; the whole family or community pooled in their resources of funds and materials and got the job done, to everybody's satisfaction. How cultured and noble this was!
4. There was no scope for staging a demonstration of power and prestige, as it happens now-a-days. To help a not-so-well-to-do was the, 'done thing', those days. Those who attended the function, contributed what they could, and there by reduced the load of the affected person. When many people contribute, each does not have to bear a heavy burden. 'Small drops make the oceon!' But the person recieving will get substantial help. Similarly if a poor man was to get his daughter married, the whole village came forward. Earlier on, the difference between the rich and poor was not so vast. In actual fact the rich man spent most of his money for his poor relatives and friends. That is part one's Dharma. 'To assist equals was Dhanam and to assist the poor was Dharmam'. To help a person in need was more beneficial for the giver than the reciever; because the one recieving felt beholden, while the giver had the greater benefit of cleansing his mind and heart. (KTSV adds. In the 60's and 70's, in Eastern India, it was noticed, that when young people decided to get married; the entire village 'pitched in'. They cleared some portion of the forest and got it ready for 'Jhoom' cultivation, during the next rainy season. They made a new house of logs and bamboos, and presented it to the newly weds. This custom was common in all the seven states around Assam!)
5. But now everything has changed. The rich do not have the the same attitude towards relatives. To help and assist the poor relatives, is not a priority activity any more. What was done those days was real, 'Anna Dhanam.' Now people host feasts for equals or equally rich people to show what they can do. 'One-up-man-ship, is the name of the game. In the bargain, a lot of money and materials are wasted. It is a National waste. It is big business, running into multiples of crores of rupees. No Dharmam involved. No chance for cleansing of hearts and minds! It is done with some ulterior motives. The Guest does not much value the fact of being invited. But not being invited is taken as an insult. The host has some axes to grind, by inviting the Guest. So both of them are mutually, befooling each other. But when You help a poor to tide over his crisis situation, there is mutual love and gratitude.
6. 'Only the rich can help others with money. What can the poor do to, earn some 'punniyam?' You should not think on such lines. We can always extend physical labour. This is the best. Nobody need know. You can go to some foot track and remove pieces of stones or glasses, on the quiet. The right hand should not know what the left hand has given to some needy person. That was the confidentiality maintained. We all feel that we should have God's blessings. It is not enough to simply do wishful thinking. When your mind and heart are cleansed by doing good to others, and you mature in to a person full of love for all living things, you will be able to see God in all of them and in your mind too. The reflection in a disturbed surface of water will also be unclear. Our minds are disturbed by our narrow perspective. Devotion to God and Serving others will bring the clarity, to enble us to see the devine beauty and earn God's blessings.
Sambhomahadeva.